Local Law Enforcement taking back unwanted prescription drugs

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

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By Barry Gulden

St. James Plaindealer - St. James, MN

By Barry Gulden

Posted Apr. 21, 2013 at 8:00 AM

By Barry Gulden

Posted Apr. 21, 2013 at 8:00 AM

St. James Plaindealer

On April 27, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the St. James Police Department and the Watonwan County Sheriff's Office along with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your medications for disposal to the St. James Police Department at 715 3rd Ave So. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines-flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash-both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Four days after the first event, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an "ultimate user" of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them.

The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents' controlled substances in certain instances. DEA is drafting regulations to implement the Act.

Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like the St. James Police Department and the Watonwan County Sheriff's Office will continue to hold prescription drug take-back yearly.

After April 27, 2013 there will also be a 24/7 drop off available by using a newly purchased drop box located at the dispatch center 715 3rd Avenue South in St. James. If there are any questions, please call Chief Deputy Jeremy Nachreiner at 507-375-2584.